How to properly wash sneakers in the washing machine

How to wash sneakers by hand

If the material from which your shoes are made cannot withstand automatic washing, it is better not to risk it and clean them manually.

Use an old toothbrush to clean your sneakers.

Before starting work, prepare the product. This should be done as follows:

• Remove the top layer of dirt and dust from the surface with a brush.
• Wash the sole of your shoe, clearing it of dirt, pebbles, stuck chewing gum and anything else that gets on the textured surface.
• Remove the insoles and laces. These parts need to be washed separately, and if they look completely unattractive, they should be replaced.

When starting to wash New Balance sneakers or products from another brand, first familiarize yourself with how and in what order you should do it. So the process looks like this:

• Soak the laces and insoles in a separate container of laundry detergent. While you are working on your boots, they will have time to “get wet” and it will be much easier to remove dirt from them.
• Fill a basin with warm water and dissolve detergent or laundry soap in it. It is better not to use dry powders to clean sneakers; such a composition is difficult to rinse out. But if you don’t have any other product, take one that is designed for hand washing, and use it in small doses. This powder does not form as much foam as a product marked “automatic” and it will be easier for you to wash it off your shoes.
• Using a soft clothes brush, thoroughly clean the dirty areas. Don't let the material get too wet if you don't want your sneakers to smell damp or get damaged.
• When the shoes are clean, wash them from soap and send them to dry on the loggia, having previously filled them with paper. This will help keep the shape after washing the shoes.
• Now you can work on the laces and insoles. Wash them from dirt, the insole can be cleaned with a clothes brush, and then rinse under running water and send to dry. These products can be placed on batteries if the weather outside is damp or rainy.

If you follow these simple rules, you can put your Adidas or Nike sports shoes in order without the risk of ruining them.

How to get rid of unpleasant odor

Often, it is not external contamination that causes washing, but the unpleasant odor inside the sneakers and sometimes washing alone is not enough. To get rid of an unpleasant odor, that is, microbes, you need to eliminate their nutrient medium. The condition under which this is feasible is the following:

1. Change/wash insoles often.
2. Dry your shoes better by not wearing the same pair every day - let them air out for at least a day.
3. Keep your feet healthy.

Products that will help get rid of an unpleasant odor can be found both at home and bought in a store, but deodorants are not suitable, because they will only temporarily remove the odor. Here are the best ways to get rid of odor:

• hydrogen peroxide/ammonia/vinegar . Wipe the inside of the shoes with a swab, dry in a ventilated area;
• potassium permanganate solution . Add 6-7 crystals of potassium permanganate to a liter of water and wipe the inside of the shoes;
• baking soda . Fill your sneaker with it and leave it for 8-10 hours. Then shake out, wipe with a damp cloth and dry the shoes;
• Activated carbon . It is necessary to crush 8-10 tablets and place them in an even layer on the sole. Leave for 6-8 hours and then remove the coal dust with a vacuum cleaner;
• tea leaves and crushed bay leaf . You need to mix the composition, place it inside the sneaker and leave it for a day, then remove everything with a vacuum cleaner;

Which sneakers are not machine washable?

Manufacturers prohibit washing sneakers in a washing machine, arguing that as a result the product will be able to:

• lose shape;
• come unstuck;
• fade (if the shoes are not plain and are made of textile material).

In addition, adidas or nike sports shoes are often decorated with decorative elements that are glued to the surface, and as a result of machine washing they can simply come off.

But those who decide to take a risk and put the product in a drum, so as not to bother with basins and brushes, need to know that there are materials that definitely will not “survive” this. These include suede and nubuck. New balance sneakers made from this material cannot be washed in a machine; the lint will be erased and the product will be deformed.

As you know, suede and nubuck shoes are susceptible to moisture; such sneakers should not be worn in rainy weather, since there is a high risk of the product losing its shape and damaging the velvety surface.

Can leather sneakers be washed in a washing machine? As for leather, both natural and artificial, we can say that this material is resistant to moisture, but at the same time sensitive to mechanical stress. In the drum of a washing machine, such shoes can be scratched, deformed and completely lose their attractiveness.

In other situations, everyone decides for themselves whether it is worth putting shoes in the washing machine or whether it is better not to risk it and wash them with a brush.

Features of washing depending on the material

Suede and nubuck

It is best to wash such sneakers by hand, in water no higher than 30 ° C, then after drying the pile will not be too hard. Procedure:

1. To prevent dirt from smearing, the sneakers should be cleaned with a brush first.
2. Pour water into a suitable container, dip the shoes in it, and, using a brush, rub them with anti-lint soap foam. Instead of soap, you can use washing gel. The use of bleaches is not recommended.
3. Rinse in clean water.

A high-quality alternative to washing a suede pair is steam treatment. Contaminated areas should be treated with a cotton swab soaked in ammonia.

Advice! When drying, suede products should not be hung on clothespins; unsightly creases may remain.

After complete drying, go over the pile again with a dry brush.

If the suede becomes shiny when worn, it is possible to restore its attractive appearance without washing. To do this, shiny areas need to be treated with white bread crumb, an eraser, or a solution of table vinegar diluted with water in equal parts.

White suede or nubuck can be stained with the following mixture:

• milk - 50 ml;
• soda - 1/3 tsp;
• ammonia - 5 drops.

Mix everything, moisten a cotton pad and rub the stains.

Leather and leatherette

Theoretically, sneakers made of genuine leather or its substitute can be washed in a washing machine, but in practice, not every pair of shoes can withstand such a procedure. Often, after machine washing, the leather becomes rough, dries out and cracks, losing its beautiful appearance.

For manual processing of leather sneakers, soap foam is used. The sole is washed under the tap to remove dirt. Soak the sponge in the foam of toilet or laundry soap and gently wipe the surface. Insoles and laces will have to be removed and washed by hand.

But it is best to remove dirt from such sneakers by dry cleaning. To do this you need:

1. Remove dust with a flannel cloth;
2. If the stains are persistent, remove them with a slightly damp sponge or soft brush;
3. Wipe off stubborn dirt with a cloth soaked in a solution of 4-5 drops of ammonia in 1 liter of water (no need to wet the sneakers too much);
4. Wash fabric areas with soapy water, being careful not to get it on the skin;
5. Treat the insides with a dry carpet cleaner;
6. Wipe the sneakers with a slightly damp flannel rag;
7. Dry;
8. Apply water repellent and skin cream.

Advice! As a preventative measure, you can wipe your sneakers every 7 days with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1 tbsp. l. ammonia per 1 liter of water, and then polish them with dry flannel.

Net

Sneakers with mesh inserts can be washed either in a washing machine or by hand. However, if the mesh is damaged, it is not recommended to process the product using technology.

Hand washing mesh sneakers is carried out in several stages:

1. Clean the mesh with a vacuum cleaner or brush. This procedure will help remove dust, sand, soil particles and other contaminants.
2. Soak in oxygen stain remover for white or colored items (depending on the color) for 10-15 minutes.
3. Cleaning sneakers 1 tbsp. l. toothpaste with the addition of 2-3 tbsp. l. lemon juice.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Thorough drying of the product.

Textile

Fabric sneakers, sneakers, espadrilles, and slip-ons can be safely machine washed. To do this, you need to select a delicate or any other washing mode that carefully removes dirt, temperature – 30°. Spin and dry should be turned off.

Sneakers with membrane

Sneakers with a membrane are often used by professional runners and extreme sports enthusiasts, as they retain heat well and protect from moisture.

There is a misconception that cleaning this material is very difficult because the pores are clogged with debris and sand. However, a high-quality membrane consists of tiny pores, which are much smaller than particles of powder or earth. Therefore, caring for it is practically no different from cleaning other materials.

Still, it is not recommended to wash membrane sneakers using a washing machine. Each manufacturer determines its own cleaning methods; information about this can be found in the instructions or on the label.

It's better to wash them by hand. You can do this as follows:

1. Shake debris out of sneakers, remove insoles and laces;
2. Add a special membrane cleaner, which is sold in sporting goods stores, to lukewarm water (about 40°);
3. Dip a soft sponge into the resulting liquid and clean the sneakers;
4. Wash insoles and laces;
5. Dry the products away from open flames and heating devices;
6. If desired, use impregnation, which will extend the life of the sneakers.

Which sneakers can be washed in a washing machine?

There is the least risk of the product being damaged in the washing machine only if the sneakers are made of textiles or eco-leather. Such materials tolerate moisture and mechanical stress well, and shoes can easily return to shape after washing.

The main thing is not to forget to put the product in a special bag for washing sneakers or a pillowcase, this will help prevent damage to the shoes and the unit.

But when a textile product is decorated with rhinestones and other glued-on accessories, it is still not worth washing in a machine, since these parts may fall off when exposed to moisture.

Wash by hand

Washing by hand is a rather long, but more delicate process than using household appliances. Shoes like white sneakers will be much easier to wash. It is better to use the rough side of a sponge or a brush for this - it all depends on the type of fabric or the roughness of the material on top of the product. Shoes are soaked in warm, but not hot water, after dissolving the detergent there. In many cases, ordinary laundry soap is used along with specialized gels. It copes with dirt no worse.

Suede sneakers are best washed by hand. Even if they are stitched, the guarantee of their integrity during a rough cleaning regime is small. Use your hands and a sponge to carefully comb out the dirt from them - rough brushes can damage the suede, so it is better to act on it as delicately as possible. You should not make the cleaning solution too foamy to make it easier to rinse your shoes later.

How to wash leather sneakers

As mentioned above, it is not recommended to put a leather product into a drum. Such shoes are only allowed to be processed by hand.

Remove the insoles and laces and wash them with laundry detergent or laundry soap. First clean your shoes from external dirt, and then treat them with a soap solution. When washing leather, it is better to use a sponge rather than a brush to avoid scratching the surface.

After washing, you need to wash the sneakers in warm water to remove the cleaning composition and send them to dry. Since leather tends to “dry out” and, as a result, become covered with cracks, after drying, treat the surface with a special impregnation or glycerin. This will help keep the skin intact for a long time.

Care Tips

Sneakers should not be washed frequently. Therefore, proper care is important:

• Clean after every wear.
• For those who want to know how to wash sneakers by hand without streaks, you need to remember that you should only use liquid detergents. If traces remain, they can be removed with ammonia or soda solution.
• An unpleasant odor will not appear for a long time if you add a couple of drops of eucalyptus or juniper oil to the rinse. It is also recommended to wash and treat insoles with vinegar water more often.

How to clean fabric sneakers

Fabric shoes are easy to clean and are easier to get rid of dirt than nubuck or suede.

If you clean these shoes by hand, use laundry soap. As the experience of many housewives shows, the use of advertised means for dry cleaning sneakers, in the form of powders, gels and capsules, often leads to the fact that colored shoes lose their bright color and look worn out. Therefore, it is better and safer to use soap.

When there is a lot of dirt, it is advisable to put the product in the drum of the washing machine. For such washing, the best means are liquid formulations and crushed laundry soap placed in the powder compartment or directly in the drum.

It is better to wash sneakers made of textile materials in the “manual” or “delicate” mode, with the water heated to 30–40 degrees, turning off the spin mode. Air conditioners should not be used. After washing, the sneakers are stuffed with paper and aired on the balcony until completely dry.

Use special containers or bags when washing.

How to dry it properly?

The final stage will be drying the shoes . Moreover, it must be correct, otherwise all the work will be in vain and the damaged shoes will only have to be thrown away.

Sneakers should be dried naturally, preferably in a hanging state. It is optimal to place them on the balcony, but not under the scorching rays of the sun. Good ventilation is important.

To preserve the shape, immediately fill the shoes with crumpled paper and change it as it gets wet. You can use electric dryers when your sneakers are almost dry.

How to dry it is prohibited:

• in a drying cabinet;
• using a hairdryer;
• on the battery.

Do not wear wet shoes, as they will stretch and become too big.

How to clean sneakers with mesh

Mesh on sports shoes should be handled carefully so as not to tear it. How to wash sneakers with this finish? To clean this part, you can use an old toothbrush, which has become soft enough from repeated use.

Detergents used include washing powder, laundry soap or Vanish. When choosing the latter, you should focus on the color of the mesh and do not use compositions with bleaching properties for colored materials. After treatment, thoroughly wash the composition.

Is it possible to wash sneakers in a washing machine if they have mesh? It's better not to, there is a risk of damaging it.

5 more tips

To ensure the longevity of your running shoes, do not auto-wash them more than once every two weeks. It is important to keep a few more care tips in mind.

1. Pair rule. Do not put more than one pair of shoes into the drum. The weight of sneakers can deform the internal components of the washing machine. Heavy shoes can even break the glass of the loading door.
2. Working with combined fabrics. Automatic washing of shoes made of combined materials is allowed, but in a “gentle” mode and at a water temperature of no more than 30°C.
3. Restoration of coverage. The water-repellent coating will wear off during washing. But it is easy to restore by applying a special spray after complete drying.
4. Using a softener. Adding a water softener will improve the cleaning effect of difficult stains.
5. Equipment care. After washing a sports pair, use the self-cleaning function or run the wash cycle dry at the highest temperature.

Washing sneakers in the washing machine is a simple matter. The main thing is to follow the rules and recommendations. Do not dry crosses on heating devices or under the scorching sun. Hot air or direct rays can deform the sizing areas of shoes and contribute to color fading. In addition, shoes dry unevenly when near an intense heat source and may lose their shape.

What to do if yellow spots appear on your sneakers after washing

Often, after washing sneakers in the washing machine and then drying them, they become covered with yellow spots. This problem mainly happens with products made from textile materials. To understand how to fix the problem, you need to understand why it happened.

It is better to dry your sneakers in the fresh air.

Most often this happens because the shoes were not sufficiently washed from soap or were poorly dried. A yellowish tint also appears after drying on radiators and heaters.

Repeat the cleansing, following all the rules, namely:

• thoroughly rinse the cleaning agent out of the product;
• Before drying, wipe the inner surface with a towel or terry cloth, and then be sure to stuff your shoes with paper;
• Place the product on the balcony to dry, rather than placing it on the radiator.

If you did everything correctly, yellowed items will turn white again.

How to dry Converse and Nike correctly?

Before putting it out to dry, blot the rag top of the sneaker with a dry, clean cotton cloth to remove excess moisture. It wouldn’t hurt to “stick” it inside for 3-5 minutes so that it absorbs large remaining water there too. Then wipe the sole.

To make shoes dry better and keep their shape, stuff them with white or craft paper. Replace wet paper with dry paper in a timely manner, and at the end you can stuff it with plastic bags for final “shaping”.

⚠️ Do not use newspapers or sheets written with pen - wet printing ink or ink will easily transfer to shoes and someone’s obituary may remain with you at least until the next wash, and maybe forever.

Do not dry by hanging it by the laces - there is a risk of deformation.

Proper drying of sneakers and sneakers

Dry Converse with the sole down , so the textile part will dry faster, which means that the likelihood of rusty stains from metal parts is greatly reduced.

Converse, Vans and other sneakers should not be dried on a radiator - high temperatures can cause them to lose their shape, the textile part to fade, and the rubber sole to turn yellow. You can find out what to do to whiten sneakers and sneakers in this article.

Do not use additional “aggressive” drying devices, such as a hair dryer. Sharp contrasting temperatures can contribute to the appearance of cracks on the sole, and removing dirt from there is no longer as easy as with a smooth one.

Use special shoe dryers. They do not heat up much and evenly. Their warmth will gently and delicately dry any shoes.

Dry your sneakers near the radiator in a well-ventilated area ; in warm, dry weather, a balcony is an ideal place, provided that it is not flooded with bright sun. Direct sunlight may cause the white sole of the sneaker to turn yellow.

How to care for your sneakers

To ensure that sports shoes last a long time, follow the basic rules of care:

• after a walk, immediately wash your shoes to remove dirt and dust;
• do not allow heavy contamination of the internal surfaces and wash the product on time;
• do not use aggressive or abrasive compounds when cleaning products;
• Dry a rain-soaked pair immediately by removing the laces and insoles and “opening” the sneakers as much as possible;
• try to wash your sneakers in a washing machine less often, preferring manual processing.

By following these recommendations, you will keep your sports shoes in good shape for a long time.

Is it possible?

Almost all types of fabric sneakers can be washed either in a machine or by hand. It is not recommended to use a washing machine for the following shoes:

1. 
   Decorated with permanent rhinestones, rivets and other decorative elements. During the washing process, they can come off and get into the drain, damaging the machine.

2. With reflective and illuminating inserts. In the first case, the phosphorus is erased, in the second, the built-in microcircuit breaks due to contact with water.
3. Of questionable quality and with a glued sole. It’s rare that glue will withstand machine washing, so the shoes will be irrevocably damaged.
4. Heavily worn and with significant damage. Most likely, after such washing, the shoes will no longer be worn. It’s worse if torn pieces of fabric or foam rubber damage the drum or get clogged in the filter. Then you will have to spend more money on repairing the washing machine.

It’s better not to take risks if the automatic machine does not have suitable modes for shoes (sports, delicate wash).
The following are strictly contraindicated for shoes made of fabric:

• wash in standard mode,
• automatic spinning or drying.

More precise washing instructions can be found on the label (located inside the sneakers or included in the packaging).

It is advisable to clean suede sneakers exclusively dry using products specially designed for this purpose, or resort to dry cleaning. Automatic and hand washing are not acceptable here.

This is due to the fact that such material reacts particularly sensitively to water: it becomes rougher and loses its color saturation. This rule does not apply to shoes made of artificial suede; they can be washed in any way.

Process from start to finish

We will go through with you the whole process of “How to wash sneakers in an automatic washing machine.”

Preparation

If your sneakers are not one of the prohibited types listed above, then it’s time to start preparing for washing:

• We advise you to purchase special bags made of durable fabric for washing shoes. They will help keep both your sneakers and your car drum in good condition. Many people successfully replace such bags with unnecessary light-colored socks. A good alternative would be an old pillowcase or a fabric potato bag. If none of the above was found, how to wash sneakers in a machine? Fill the drum with what you don't mind sacrificing - rags, rags, rugs, etc.
• Thoroughly clean the sole with a rag or brush - there should be no dirt, stuck sand and pebbles, or stuck chewing gum on it.
• If your shoes are heavily soiled, it is better to soak them in a soapy solution for a couple of hours before machine washing. By the way, this is an excellent opportunity to check its suitability for machine washing - if the sneakers have not become deformed, parts have not begun to peel off from them, then they are suitable for a machine wash cycle.
• Take out the insoles and laces - they will have to be washed separately and, alas, with your own hands.

Insoles are washed separately by hand

Advice! We warn you before washing your sneakers in an automatic washing machine that many “washers” make unusually loud sounds when cleaning heavy shoes - the soles knock on the metal drum and glass. Therefore, we do not recommend running such a wash when someone is already sleeping in the house.

How to wash sneakers in the washing machine - use only cold water!

Choosing a washing assistant

Laundry soap helps cope well with various types of stains. But you should not use it for bright fabric sneakers - it can discolor the textiles.

Give preference to liquid detergent or washing gel, as regular powder can leave streaks on the surface of the shoes. Dirty sneakers perform best in soft rather than hard water. You can soften it either with special means or with regular baking soda.

We also do not recommend using various rinses or conditioners - they can also leave streaks on the sneakers.

If there are no fabric bags, soften the wash with unnecessary fabric

Wash

What’s good here is that you are almost not involved in the process. You just need to set the necessary parameters for the machine. The table will tell you how to wash sneakers in a washing machine.

An incorrectly configured washing cycle can lead to disastrous consequences.
No matter how high-quality the sneakers are, still take pity on them - do not machine wash them more than twice a month. After a shoe washing cycle, it’s still a good idea to disinfect the drum - turn on the highest temperature mode, pour citric acid into the compartment instead of powder, and “run” one cycle without laundry.

Advice! Under no circumstances should you wash more than two pairs of sneakers at once in a washing machine! Ideally: one wash cycle = one pair of sneakers. Why is economical washing dangerous? The hard soles of several sneakers can easily damage the washer drum, or even break the glass on the door.

Washing sneakers in various washing machines

Depending on the brand of automatic machine, the mode used for washing sports or other shoes can vary dramatically. Let's look at some of the differences in the table:

What to do if there is no special bag

How to wash sneakers in an automatic machine if we don’t have a special bag? An old towel is a great alternative. Simply throw two towels into the drum with your sneakers to absorb shock. It is not recommended to use emollients in the form of conditioner. For washing you only need a small amount of liquid powder.

All that remains is to set the appropriate temperature. It is recommended to wash at 30 degrees. For safety reasons, you should avoid spinning, which most often damages shoes. It may even damage them. So there's no point in taking risks.

Drying

Proper drying is no less important.
It’s easy to dry sneakers without the help of a washing machine:

• After you remove your shoes from the washing machine, stuff them tightly with absorbent paper. Polished, glossy, dense will not be suitable for these purposes. If the interior lining of the shoes is dark, then you can use newspapers, preferably black and white. For light upholstery, you need plain white paper - newspaper can leave annoying stains and streaks. An alternative is cotton or linen fabric.
• The optimal temperature for drying is room temperature. Under no circumstances should you place your sneakers on a radiator, heater, or under the scorching rays of the sun! This may cause deformation of their material.

An old toothbrush is a good alternative to machine washing

Quick drying

If you need to dry your sneakers urgently after you have washed your sneakers in an automatic machine, you can use one of these methods:

A hairdryer will speed up drying a little

“Grandma’s” drying method - using salt

Salt can be replaced with rice

You can try drying your sneakers with the fan on.

You can also try silica gel balls

The most effective assistant is a vacuum cleaner

• Hair dryer. Of course, hot air flows are contraindicated. But you will speed up the drying process if you blow the inside of your shoes with warm air currents. A miracle won’t happen—the sneakers won’t dry out in an hour, but things will still go faster.
• Table salt (some replace it with rice). Heat the required amount of salt in the frying pan until it becomes warm. Then pour it into old socks and put them on your wet sneakers. The process must be repeated when the salt has cooled.
• Vacuum cleaner. According to reviews from many experimenters, drying each shoe in a pair with a vacuum cleaner does not take more than 20 minutes! You need to remove the brush or attachment from the device tube, place it inside the sneaker and turn on the vacuum cleaner. It will draw in air along with moisture. The more powerful the mode, the faster the drying.
• Silica gel balls. Most suitable for suede shoes. Place them in each of the sneakers - after a couple of hours the shoes should dry in this way.
• Fan. Some people dry their sneakers next to this switched on device.
• Coals from a fire. Of course, this method is most suitable when you get your feet wet in nature. Wrap warm coals in cloth or newspaper and stuff them into your sneakers.

At what temperature

The optimal temperature for washing sneakers is considered to be 30 degrees. Actually, this is what you need to set if there is no specialized program. In this case, you don’t have to worry about the product falling apart, losing its shape, or shrinking.

For membrane sneakers, the degree is reduced to 25. Only such conditions can preserve their original appearance.

Attention! No shoe, no matter how durable the material it is made of, can withstand temperatures that exceed 40 degrees.

How often should I wash my sneakers?

Of course, as it gets dirty. However, if you are actively involved in sports or there is an unpleasant odor inside the “fast walkers”, you will need to wash it more often.

Multi-sport athletes, trail runners, and orienteers encounter mud more often, literally. Not only do they have to do laundry frequently, but they also have to carry spare shoes with them. But fans of extreme running (on rough roads, through swamps, etc.) are literally living in a laundry room.

After purchasing sports shoes, read the manufacturer's recommendations. Pay attention to how often to wash, at what temperature, and study other recommendations.

Don’t put off washing for too long - stubborn dirt requires more aggressive washing, which is not very beneficial for sneakers.